noun the ability of a computer to recognise specific words produced by a human voice and to provide a suitable response

The ability of a device, piece of equipment, computer, or system, to detect and recognize spoken words. A speech recognition system, for instance, must be able to properly identify all phonemes of a given language to properly processspeech. A computer so enabled converts spoken words into commands, text, or the like. A computer so enabled converts spoken words into commands, text, or the like, for activating features, entering text, surfing the Internet, engaging in a voice chat, and so on. Also used, for instance, in an interactive voice response system.

A specific instance of voice recognition (1).

The technology employed in voice recognition (1). Also called voice-recognition technology.